Laguna Hills presents a student-directed 'Arsenic and Old Lace'

Laguna Hills senior Jamie Enright has pictured herself in the director’s chair since she was a sophomore. “I feel like it’s the ultimate accomplishment of theater,” she said.

After much deliberation about which play she wanted to direct, Enright selected “Arsenic and Old Lace,” a dark comedy written by Joseph Kesselring in 1939.

“I knew that I wanted to do a comedy all along, but I didn’t expect that it would be a dark comedy,” said Enright. “My mom loves crime mystery and she kept casually bringing up ‘Arsenic’ as an option, so I finally read it. Turns out, it’s funny! The writing is so witty,” she said.

With guidance from drama teacher Susan Lord, Enright auditioned over 30 students to fill the roles in the play. She was surprised and flattered by the turnout, never anticipating that she’d have to turn people away.

“A lot of people don’t think of me as the authority figure. I want to be everyone’s friend,” she said. But her peers were supportive and respecting of her role.

“There is a surprising level of professionalism in this whole production,” said senior Hannah Bozman, who is in charge of scenic design and lighting for “Arsenic and Old Lace.” The short time frame – auditions began in February and the play opened March 7 – required the student actors to fall in line quickly.

It is a commitment that takes precedence, and by “compartmentalizing stress,” as Bozman describes it, the students make time for the play amid all their other activities.

For senior TustinTalbot, that meant running from rehearsals for “Arsenic and Old Lace” to rehearsals for the school’s musical and then to practice for the Laguna Hills comedy sports improv team. “I just tell myself to take it one day at a time ... or more like one minute at a time,” Talbot said, joking.

Lord, meanwhile, has been busy directing the school’s annual musical. “I don’t have time to direct another thing,” she said. So performing in the student-directed “Arsenic and Old Lace” gives these actors another chance to be onstage.

Even though directing seems like a lot of work for one person to handle, Lord believes the reward is great and that every actor should experience directing at some point.

“There is joy in finishing a task when it’s been really difficult getting there,” she said.

Luckily, the sometimes-stressful road to the opening of “Arsenic and Old Lace” was littered with lots of laughter. “This is the funniest play I’ve been in. There’s not a moment when I’m not laughing,” said senior Hannah Hart.

The heart of this ironic comedy that follows the murderous antics of characters Abby and Martha Brewster is black. Touching on the topics of insanity and love, it engages the audience in a family drama of unfolding mystery.

“Honestly, this play has everything. It will reach a wide audience,” said Henderson.

Lord hopes experiences like this will give Laguna Hills drama students a feeling of ownership in the department. Proud of her directorial debut, Enright said, “It’s surreal to think that this play wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for something I wanted to do.”